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FIDELITY RESEARCH STEP-UP TRANSFORMERS

Dear All
Like many before me I am moving down the multi tonearm route. Amongst the arms and cartridges I have are a Fidelity Research FR 64S and denon DL103. I was thinking about trying out one of the Fidelity research step-up transformers - preferably an FRT 4, or FRT 5 - I hope to get an FR7 cartridge at some point.

I was wondering if someone could:
1. shed light on the hierarchy of the transformers ie was the 4 or 5 the better model
2. would they work well plugged into any MM phono stage
3. what is the general hierarchy of the step-ups
4. Do they work well with modern cartridges - ie my shelter 501, transfiguration temper v, Benz LPS

I am hoping that someone will be able to help me

thanks



lohanimal

Showing 2 responses by bukanona

bukanona
174 posts
 
https://audio-heritage.jp/FIDELITYRESEARCH/etc/index2.html
I do have XF-1 L which is better than 4 or 5.
Check pricing and use translator.
XF-1 L works with LOMC up to 3 ohms. I do use it with Ikeda canitleverless which is 3 ohms.

If you want to get this one some day:
https://audio-heritage.jp/FIDELITYRESEARCH/etc/fr-7f.html
and to use it with dedicated step up it will be XF-1 L or if you want more universal unit buy FIDELITY RESEARCH XG-7


bukanona
174 posts
 
If to give comment about  XF-1 L.

It's dead silent, SN ratio is superb, shielding is something special.
 
It's not the best also but it doesn't looked shy near upper league transformers
. 
So as about sound it has no colour but all details are present. It's pretty close to AN, Neumann etc. Close but some juice is missing. But really not much. I think  Denon AU-S1 MC Step Up is more versatile but for my liking XF-1L is better as it works only up to 3 ohms.
Although as about Denon  AU-S1 I am not believer that it can work from 3 up to 40 ohms. I would make a bet 20-40 ohms as the optimum range.

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